Creamy Salmon and Zucchini Pasta Recipe
I love a good creamy pasta dish. It’s one of my favorite comfort foods. I mean, who doesn’t? It’s versatile, comforting, and can be dressed up or down to fit any occasion. Plus, it’s always a crowd-pleaser. Recently, I decided to mix things up and create a creamy salmon and zucchini pasta dish, and it quickly became one of my favorites. Plus, this dish can easily be tailored to fit your taste preferences, mainly because there are many variations of this recipe that you can try.
Why Is This Pasta Dish Special?
There are a few reasons why this Salmon and Zucchini pasta dish is so special. It’s not only creamy and delicious but also healthy and easy to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
First, it’s really easy to prepare. You just need a few simple ingredients, and in about 20 minutes, you’ll have a delicious, nutritious meal on your table.
Second, this dish is packed with flavor. The creamy sauce is made with salmon, zucchini, garlic, Grana Padano, and cream, so it’s both rich and delicious.
And finally, the pasta dish is healthy and filling. The salmon provides a dose of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, while the zucchini adds a touch of vitamins and minerals. [1] [2] It’s a great meal to enjoy any time of day.
How to Prepare Creamy Salmon and Zucchini Pasta?
The great thing about this recipe is that it’s really easy to prepare. Just follow these instructions, and you will nail it! So, even if you are not an experienced cook or haven’t prepared salmon that often, don’t despair.
Let’s start with gathering all the necessary ingredients:
To prepare this rich-in-flavor pasta for five persons, first, you will need 14 oz (400 grams) of spaghetti. Now, regarding this dish’s stars, I used 18 oz salmon fillets (4 pieces or 510 grams) and 2 zucchinis (medium size).
Of course, seasoning the dish and adding some extra flavors is always required, so for this, you will need some olive oil, 3 cloves of garlic, 2 oz of Grana Padano (4 tablespoons; 57 grams), salt and pepper, and ¾ cup of heavy cream ( 200g) to combine everything together nicely!
Also, don’t throw away all water you used to cook pasta. Use two ladles of water in which you previously cooked your pasta to make your dish moister.
Once you have all gathered up, you can get straight into preparing this quick and delicious meal.
Step 1: Chopping the Main Ingredients
If salmon fillets are frozen, defrost and dry them before you salt them on both sides. Squeeze or grate the garlic with a small grater, then chop the zucchini into cubes.
While you are doing that, you can put the oil to heat up on medium heat and then put the salmon fillets on it.
Step 2: Preparing the Salmon and Boiling the Spaghetti
Once the salmon is cooked through, take it out of the pan and use the same oil to simmer the garlic for about 30 seconds, or until golden brown, and then add the zucchini cubes.
Stir everything nicely and let them simmer for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Season everything with salt and pepper to taste.
In a separate pot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
Step 3: Finishing Up
Once the salmon has cooled down, remove the skin and separate the salmon meat a bit by using a fork.
Add the heavy cream across the zucchini cubes and two ladles of water in which you previously cooked your pasta. Bring everything to a boil, add the salmon, and turn off the heat.
Mix everything together with spaghetti and serve it with Grana Padano on top.
Creamy Salmon and Zucchini Pasta Recipe Variations
There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating variations of this creamy salmon and zucchini pasta.
You could add grilled or roasted vegetables, such as bell peppers, eggplant, or tomatoes. Another option is to add some cooked shrimp or chicken for extra protein.
And finally, don’t forget about the cheese! A sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Romano would be delicious. Finally, season your dish with salt and pepper before serving. A little extra love will go a long way and make all the difference in the final result!
The combinations are endless, so feel free to get creative and make the dish your own.
What to Serve With Creamy Salmon and Zucchini Pasta?
The last step is to choose what to serve with your creamy salmon and zucchini pasta dish. The great thing about this pasta dish is that it can be served as a main or as a side.
You can serve a main dish with a nice salad, crusty bread, and some garlic butter. You could also add roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts.
If you’re serving the salmon and zucchini pasta as a side, I’d suggest pairing it with grilled fish or chicken. Roasted potatoes are also great to go alongside this wonderfully creamy dish. Remember to add some bright colors with fresh salads or steamed vegetables like green beans or asparagus.
Overall, the options for what to serve with this amazing creamy salmon and zucchini pasta are endless; just choose the sides that suit your taste buds!
Creamy Salmon and Zucchini Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 18 oz salmon fillet
- 14 oz spaghetti or other pasta
- 2 zucchinis
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp Grana Padano
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 2 ladles water you cooked pasta in
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- If salmon fillets are frozen, defrost and dry them before you salt them on both sides.
- Grate the garlic with a small grater, then chop the zucchini into cubes.
- While you are doing that, you can put the oil to heat up on medium heat and then put the salmon fillets on it.
- In a separate pot, cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- Once the salmon is cooked through, take it out of the pan and use the same oil to simmer the garlic for about 30 seconds, or until golden brown, and then add the zucchini cubes.
- Stir everything nicely and let them simmer for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Season everything with salt and pepper to taste.
- Once the salmon has cooled down, remove the skin and separate the salmon meat a bit by using a fork.
- Add the heavy cream across the zucchini cubes and two ladles of water in which you previously cooked your pasta. Bring everything to a boil, add the salmon, and turn off the heat.
- Mix everything together with spaghetti and serve it with Grana Padano on top.
